negotiate

American  

[ni-goh-shee-eyt] / nɪˈgoʊ ʃiˌeɪt /

verb (used without object)

negotiates, present (3rd person singular) negotiated, past participle, past negotiating present participle

1. to deal or bargain with another or others, as in the preparation of a treaty or contract or in preliminaries to a business deal.

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verb (used with object)

negotiates, present (3rd person singular) negotiated, past participle, past negotiating present participle

1. to arrange for or bring about by discussion and settlement of terms.

   to negotiate a loan.

2. to manage; transact; conduct.

   He negotiated an important business deal.

3. to move through, around, or over in a satisfactory manner.

   to negotiate a difficult dance step without tripping: to negotiate sharp curves.

4. to transfer (a draft, promissory note, etc.) to a new owner by endorsement and delivery or by delivery.

   Synonyms:

   transmit, convey

negotiate British  

/ nɪˈɡəʊʃɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. to work or talk (with others) to achieve (a transaction, an agreement, etc)

2. (tr) to succeed in passing through, around, or over

   to negotiate a mountain pass

3. (tr) finance

   1. to transfer (a negotiable commercial paper) by endorsement to another in return for value received

   2. to sell (financial assets)

   3. to arrange for (a loan)

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unnegotiated
  adjective
• prenegotiate
  verb
• well-negotiated
  adjective
• negotiator
  noun

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has negotiated
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have negotiated
  perfect
• are negotiating
  progressive
• has been negotiating
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• am negotiating
  progressive 1st person singular
• have been negotiating
  perfect progressive
• is negotiating
  progressive 3rd person singular
• negotiating
  participle
• negotiates
  singular 3rd person

Past

• had negotiated
  perfect
• were negotiating
  progressive plural
• was negotiating
  progressive singular
• had been negotiating
  perfect progressive
• negotiated
  participle
• negotiated
  simple

Future

• will negotiate
  simple
• will have negotiated
  perfect
• will have been negotiating
  perfect progressive
• will be negotiating
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of negotiate

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin negōtiātus “traded,” past participle of negōtiārī “to do business, trade,” verb derivative of negōtium “business,” from nec, neg- “not” ( cf. neglect ( def. )) + ōtium “leisure”

Explanation

To negotiate is to try to work out an agreement between parties that each want something out of the deal. You might negotiate with your mom — offering to do more chores for a raise in your allowance. Good luck. Negotiation is all about give and take. Governments are always negotiating with unions, trying to define the terms of new contracts. The government might offer the teachers union a raise, if they agree to work 200 days a year instead of 180. The verb negotiate can also mean to successfully pass through or travel along. You may have to negotiate a hazardous road, or a tricky path through sticker bushes.

Example Sentences

Others are hoping to negotiate flexible working - later starts or working from home after late-night matches.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

And that meant another restart that Antonelli had to negotiate, this time with the fast-starting Ferrari alongside him.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

The move aims to give publishers control over how their content is used by AI and put them in a stronger position to negotiate with Google.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

You arrive, look the thing over, act a little indifferent, maybe negotiate, then hand over cash or Venmo the seller and leave.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

These were not efforts to negotiate, but attempts to isolate me from my organization.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• agree
• arrange
• confer
• consult
• debate
• haggle
• handle
• mediate
• settle
• work out